Are the last affordable Porsches actually worth buying? The Porsche 924, 944, 928, and 968 are some of the most overlooked cars in Porsche's history. They're often much less expensive than a 911, but are they genuine bargains or potential financial disasters? To find out, I sat down with Tom Vagi, owner of Seacoast Specialist Cars in Candia, New Hampshire. Tom is an ASE Master Technician, former Porsche dealership service manager, longtime Porsche enthusiast, and contributor to 911 & Porsche World magazine. Tom knows these cars inside and out, but his connection to them goes much deeper than working on them. When he was 16, he fell in love with a black Porsche 944 Turbo with Can Can Red interior. Twenty-seven years later, he bought that exact car. He still owns it today. We talk about what makes Porsche's front-engine transaxle cars so special, the differences between the 924, 944, 928, and 968, and which versions offer the most enjoyment for the money. Tom also explains why he thinks the Porsche 944 S may be one of the most undervalued Porsches on the market, what a proper pre-purchase inspection should include, and why a cheap $5,000 Porsche can easily need another $15,000 to $20,000 in repairs. And we get into a bigger question: Is an affordable Porsche you can drive every day actually more enjoyable than an expensive 911 you're afraid to take out of the garage? IN THIS EPISODE • Porsche 924 vs. 944 vs. 928 vs. 968 • Tom's incredible 944 Turbo ownership story • Why Porsche's transaxle design works so well • What makes the 944 Turbo special • The differences between the 944 S, S2, and Turbo • The overlooked Porsche 924S • Porsche 968 Club Sport and special models • Why the Porsche 928 is a completely different driving experience • The cost of maintaining a Porsche 944 • Timing belts, torque tubes, and common problems • Why service history matters more than mileage • What to look for during a Porsche pre-purchase inspection • The hidden costs of buying a cheap Porsche • Parts availability and long-term reliability • Why Tom thinks the 944 S is undervalued • Porsche 968 prices and the used Porsche market • Why affordable Porsches might be more fun to own • The one Porsche Tom would keep forever CONNECT WITH TOM VAGI Seacoast Specialist Cars Independent Porsche Service, Sales & Restoration Website: https://sscarsnh.com/ 174 Raymond Road, Suite B Candia, NH 03034 Phone: 603-782-0870 CONNECT WITH ELEVENAFTERNINE Website & Porsche Buyer Consulting: https://www.elevenafternine.com/ Main YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNine ElevenAfterNine Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theelevenafternine/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eleven-after-nine-a-porsche-culture-podcast/id1887344928 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fpVL61pWEZDkaygT7cGZh All Podcast Episodes: https://shows.acast.com/eleven-after-nine/episodes CONTACT 11afternine@gmail.com Buying a Porsche and want a second opinion before you wire the money? One-on-one Porsche buyer consulting is available at ElevenAfterNine.com. QUESTION FOR YOU Would you rather own a well-maintained Porsche 944, 928, or 968, or spend considerably more money on an older 911? And if you own a transaxle Porsche, what's been your experience with reliability and maintenance costs? Let me know in the comments. I read them! ElevenAfterNine is an independent enthusiast podcast and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. #Porsche #Porsche944 #Porsche928 #ElevenAfterNine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
